NCORE completes a
coral reef survey for the Punta Cana
region of the Dominican Republic
September 12, 2003 - The National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) has
recently sent a team of graduate students down to the Punta Cana region on
the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic where they completed a week
long coral reef survey.� The team included
Marilyn Brandt, Wade Cooper,
Cara Dickman, and
Johnathan Kool who are all currently
enrolled at the University of Miami�s Rosenstiel School of Marine and
Atmospheric Science.� The team used the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef
Assessment (AGRRA) methodology to complete the survey (http://www.coral.noaa.gov/agra/)
that occurred from August 20th � 25th, 2003. This
method is effective in evaluating the condition of a reef in a short period
of time.� Also, the data can be compared to the AGRRA database which
includes data from over fifteen countries in the Caribbean region.�
The Punta Cana survey
was intended to provide an initial database of information which future
NCORE activities, local managers and other scientists can use to make
comparisons or management decisions.� Sixteen sites were surveyed total,
including 7 shallow backreef or patch reef sites and 9 deeper forereef
sites.� Three of the sites were surveyed in the Babaro region, north of
Punta Cana.� A small report was recently generated for the residents of the
Punta Cana Club located at the northern edge of the Punta Cana property (see
links to the reports below).�
NCORE
would like to thank Mr. Ted Kheel for his generosity in providing for the
team�s housing and boat support. Mr. Manolo Despradel was significant source
of excellent local information on the distribution of coral reefs throughout
the area which was vital to our work.� (Marilyn Brandt, NCORE)
Reports Generated:
1.
A Description of the Northernmost Lagoon of Punta Cana:
Preliminary Report (0.2MB)
2.
Results of a coral reef
survey of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with comparisons to past studies
��� and other Caribbean reefs:
Executive Summary (0.2MB)
3. Results of a coral reef survey of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with
comparisons to past studies
��� and other Caribbean reefs:
Detailed Report (21MB)
4. Map of Punta Cana (0.2MB) � |
